Zhou Heng knew he had wronged Ji Yanshu.
In his previous life, she had loved him until her dying day.
From the moment they started dating, Ji Yanshu had been particularly clingy—whenever she had free time outside work hours, she would stick to him.
According to the original plan, they were supposed to register their marriage today.
Ji Yanshu must have gone to the commune early.
It had been the same in his previous life.
When he arrived, her eyes were red with grievance, saying she thought he was going to flee the engagement.
Zhou Heng's heart sank.
In his previous life, he hadn't run away—he had willingly built a family with Ji Yanshu.
But in this life, he had truly escaped.
Ji Yanshu must have cried.
Otherwise, her third brother wouldn't have been so furious and returned all the engagement gifts sent to the Ji family.
Zhou Heng felt guilty.
From beginning to end, Ji Yanshu had never wronged him.
But he truly couldn't marry her again.
It was only after being with Xu Huifang that he understood what real love was.
Ji Yanshu was five years younger than him.
Her personality was lively and bright.
She loved to act coquettishly.
It was hard for anyone not to like her.
If he hadn't been with Xu Huifang, he would have thought he loved Ji Yanshu too.
Later, he realized his affection for Ji Yanshu was merely that of an older brother caring for a younger sister.
That wasn't true love.
In his previous life, Ji Yanshu hadn't lived to old age while with him. Some gossips said their destinies clashed.
That he had brought misfortune upon her.
Zhou Heng was educated and naturally didn't believe in such things.
Yet he couldn't help thinking that if they didn't marry in this life, perhaps Ji Yanshu wouldn't die young.
That would be a good thing.
His guilt eased slightly.
The Ji father and son had already left, leaving the Zhou household in chaos. Neighbors who came to watch the spectacle filled the courtyard.
In front of everyone, Zhou Heng declared, "My engagement with Yanshu is canceled. Tomorrow, I will register my marriage with Comrade Xu."
The Zhou family objected.
Zhou Heng said, "If you don't agree, then we'll split the family. Comrade Xu and I will live separately. We won't interfere with each other and will lead our own lives."
His attitude was firm. No matter what his parents said, he wouldn't change his mind.
If not for Zhou Heng's unchanged appearance, the elderly couple would have suspected their son had been replaced.
Otherwise, why would he suddenly break off the engagement when he had been so fond of Yanshu?
Breaking the engagement was one thing, but he was also rushing to marry a capitalist's daughter into the family.
Was he tired of their peaceful life and trying to bring trouble upon the household?
He had truly changed.
He no longer cared about others' opinions, dead set on marrying that capitalist's daughter!
Mother Zhou felt a pain in her chest from anger.
"The Zhou family only recognizes Yanshu as our daughter-in-law! Cut ties with that woman immediately, go apologize to the Ji family, and register with Yanshu tomorrow!"
Zhou Heng replied, "I won't marry Yanshu. I only see her as a younger sister. I'll make it up to her in the future by introducing her to suitable partners."
Mother Zhou thought he had gone mad.
"Do you have to break Yanshu's heart like this?"
Zhou Heng said, "I'm doing this for her own good."
With someone new in his life, given her temperament, she would surely move on and not dwell on the past.
Although Ji Yanshu was spoiled and willful, she was sensible and never unreasonable—this was something Zhou Heng had always appreciated.
That's why he had tolerated her minor tantrums.
And found her quite endearing.
Even after falling for Xu Huifang, he never spoke ill of Ji Yanshu.
He simply didn't love her.
But he didn't dislike her either.
Mother Zhou looked at him with disappointment. "Such a fine girl, and you don't know how to hold onto her! You'll regret this someday!"
The Ji family's eldest son was a division commander, the second a doctor, and the third a teacher.
Ji Yanshu and her third brother weren't bad either.
This capitalist's daughter couldn't even compare to a single strand of Yanshu's hair!
"You'll definitely regret this!"
Zhou Heng looked resolute. "I won't regret it."
From now on, he would only treat Ji Yanshu as a younger sister.
Ji Yanshu might hate him, might cut ties with him, but compared to Huifang, none of that mattered.
They were the ones destined to walk through life together as soulmates and lovers.
Ji Yanshu was too childish, always needing to be coaxed and pampered.
Someone like her wasn't suitable to be a partner.
Being a younger sister was just fine.
Seeing Zhou Heng standing with Xu Huifang, about to get married, everyone found it absurd.
It felt like a dream.
Just yesterday, Zhou Heng had been happily saying he'd distribute wedding candies after getting their marriage certificate.
Yet in just one day, the person he wanted to marry had changed.
And it was Ji Yanshu, of all people.
The acknowledged great beauty.
With such excellent family conditions too.
Her eldest brother sent money, coupons, tonics, clothes, and shoes back every year, and Zhou Heng had benefited from this as well.
The leather shoes he was wearing had been sent by the Ji family's eldest son.
Specifically designated for his future brother-in-law.
Mother Zhou had proudly boasted about this for a long time.
To reject such a wonderful girl and instead get involved with a capitalist's daughter.
He must have lost his mind!
The elderly woman Ji Yanshu had encountered at the village entrance earlier gave him a meaningful look.
"No wonder Yanshu's eyes were all red and swollen when she returned—clearly she'd been crying. So she suffered a tremendous injustice."
Ji Yanshu was delicate; that she would cry didn't surprise Zhou Heng at all.
Pressing his thin lips together, he said, "I'll go apologize."
The elderly woman retorted, "What good is an apology? She dated you for two years, had the application and marriage certificate ready, left home happily, but returned with a tear-streaked face, only to find her intended marrying someone else. Who could bear such a thing?"
"Xiao Zhou, you've really gone too far."
Another elderly woman chimed in, "Even if you wanted to marry someone else, you should have given Yanshu a proper explanation first. Look at the mess you've made—she was waiting for you to get the certificate, and here you are bringing another woman home. What a sin!"
In his previous life, Zhou Heng had been diagnosed with a serious illness just a few years after making his fortune.
Xu Huifang had stayed by his side, never leaving him.
After being reborn, his mind was filled with thoughts of Xu Huifang, the woman who had endured hardships with him for decades.
He hadn't considered other details.
Now, hearing this, Zhou Heng realized he had done wrong.
He should have cleanly broken things off with Yanshu before being with Huifang.
Now, not only was he being criticized, but Huifang was also being gossiped about because of him.
"I'll go find Yanshu right now and apologize to her. I admit my mistakes, but Comrade Xu has nothing to do with this. She barely spoke to me before, and we had no private interactions. Please don't spread rumors about her."
No one believed this.
Unfortunately, there was no evidence.
The elderly woman said, "It's not that we enjoy gossiping, but what you did was improper. Poor Yanshu—she could have married a military comrade. With her eldest brother's connections, arranging a match would have been easy."
"Yanshu is lovely and sweet-tongued. If she really went matchmaking, many would be competing for her. Yet she remained devoted to you, and in the end…"
The elderly woman shook her head.
Then left.
Others gradually dispersed too, eager to return home and share the "news."
Xu Huifang secretly let out a sigh of relief.
As long as they made things clear with Ji Yanshu, and as her predecessor, hoped she wouldn't disturb their lives…
Then this matter should be over, right?
Zhou Heng said, "Let me take you back first."
Xu Huifang shook her head and said gently, "I'll go with you to apologize to Comrade Ji Yanshu."
Zhou Heng was touched.
"She has a bad temper. I should go alone."
Xu Huifang smiled. "Even if Comrade Ji hits me, I won't be angry, as long as it makes her feel better."
Zhou Heng wasn't sure whether Ji Yanshu would actually hit someone.
After all, her temper was truly terrible.
She couldn't stand being wronged.
Never willing to suffer even the slightest disadvantage.
With determined eyes, he said, "I won't let her hit you."
Xu Huifang smiled shyly. "I believe you."